OTISVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Minisink Valley schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill in the White House Rose Garden designating a federal holiday honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be observed on the third Monday of January. A leader of the 1950s-1960s civil rights movement, Rev. Dr. King advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience to racial segregation, and was instrumental in the movement's most momentous achievements (Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965). He was also recognized internationally with the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s important legacy was again highlighted this past week to Minisink Valley students as part of ongoing reinforcement and recognition of Dr. King’s essential place in U.S. and global history, as the civil rights leader’s birthday is marked on Monday’s national holiday.

Risha Grant, a diversity and inclusion expert, will speak to Minisink Valley faculty and staff during the district’s Professional Development Day on Monday, Jan. 28 and will focus on building inclusive cultures.

Registration is taking place for the 2019 Minisink Valley Girls Basketball Instructional Clinics Open to all Minisink girls in grades 5-8, to be held Saturdays in February (Feb.2, 9, 16 and 23) from 1 to 3 p.m. in Intermediate Gym C.

We have received a number of phone calls today regarding an incident that took place on social media, in which a high school student made racially-charged comments about a fellow classmate.

Please know that we have been aware of this matter since it occurred. The incident was immediately reported to law enforcement agencies at the time. The ensuing external and internal investigations, and collaboration between the district and law enforcement, resulted in disciplinary action for the offending student. The district legally cannot discuss any resulting student disciplinary actions, including this one, for any reason.

The district has no tolerance for hateful language or any type of conduct that endangers the physical or emotional sense of safety and security of our students and staff. Those who choose to test these boundaries will endure the consequences outlined by the district’s code of conduct, and/or those under the law.

We encourage parents and guardians to have conversations with their children and reinforce these messages at home.

“When a child loves you for a long, long time [...] then you become Real.” If you remember little else from the age-old tale of The Velveteen Rabbit, these few, evocative words might still resonate. They are sure to endure for Otisville students in grades K-2 who heard them straight from the Skin Horse’s mouth, as spoken to the Velveteen Rabbit, on the school’s stage earlier this week.

Sponsored by Otisville’s PTO, The Velveteen Rabbit production by Bright Star Touring Theatre promotes character development with a strong anti-bullying message, while supporting foundational language skills in reading, speaking and listening.